Expanded question on sons of NBA players in college

Submitted by Flying Dutchman on

So, there have been a couple threads lately about all these sons of NBA players now in college.   We've got Hardaway, and then Dumars (I believe he's a walkon?) and Horford's dad and brother with their NBA careers.

Then we see Austin Rivers on Indiana, and Juwan Howard Jr is at WMU, Glen Rice Jr at GT, and so on.    Sons of long term NBA players that made a ton of money, probably have huge NBA pensions, and some of which are still earning good money in NBA jobs.

So, do you suppose when their sons are heavily recruited athletes, they ever take the approach of "hey, I've got a ton of money, why don't I just pay for my kids schooling so his team can be better with an extra scholarship?"

It's probably safe to assume Mr Hardaway has made a lot more money than Mr Douglass, Mr Novak, or Mr Morris, etc.

If this isn't a stupid question, do you think there is any of this going on out there?

mi93

February 12th, 2011 at 5:06 PM ^

Consider the number of multi-millionaire athletes our and other universities have turned out.  What if they each gave back to the university athletic department (like Braylon) - how many athletic departments across the country would be self-funded with significant endowments?

JBE

February 12th, 2011 at 5:35 PM ^

What?  In no way is this opinion related to anything Saban, and I would love for you to attempt a connection.  All I'm saying is that oftentimes these "star" players are a big reason why seats are filled and a school gains attention on the national stage.  These filled seats and this attention often leads to staking the paper.     

Jedelman11

February 12th, 2011 at 8:45 PM ^

Hardaway -- Broke ... http://sportifi.com/news/Report-Heat-buy-Hardaways-mansion-586328.html

Horford -- Al Horfor'd signing bonus was more than Tito made his whole NBA career.

You have to remember that these people make an incredible amount of money in a very short time and often squander large sums on really dumb things. Sure, when you make $100 million you should be set for life, but when don't work a day after 35 and your paying 600K a month for landscaping your gonna lose your forture fast.

Perhaps the most compelling example is Antoine Walker. Google it ... its actually kind of sad

 

 

JBE

February 12th, 2011 at 5:17 PM ^

If a kid is smart or talented enough to get a scholarship, I see no reason why she or he shouldn't get one, even if her or his parents have a bunch of green.  If it were any other way, it wouldn't be very egalitarian.    

Flying Dutchman

February 12th, 2011 at 5:18 PM ^

Oh, I hear ya, sure.    But lets just say Jordan Dumars was a stud.   Can't you imagine Joe D saying to Beilein "well, if you have another scholarship, you can go sign that stud bigman from (wherever)".   I guess that was my point.    Its me and my silly wishful thinking.

LSAClassOf2000

February 13th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^

"I have 2 sons in college right now.  One is on schollie the other is redshirt.  I will debate with peeps that know?" - teamort2

 

I don't know. Will you? Doesn't seem very likely with the lack of comprehensible posts from you to date. 

Tater

February 12th, 2011 at 5:23 PM ^

Between agents, hangers-on, family members in need of support, and children who may or may not be living in the player's household, not to mention groupies looking for sperm donors/money factories, not all players have a bunch of money left.  Also, many have trouble adjusting from the lavish lifestyle of an active player to actually having to watch their money when they are no longer cashing lotto/powerball-size paychecks every year.  

Besides, kids in "revenue sports" are being exploited by a system that makes them work but doesn't let them share any of the revenue they produce; let them at least get those schollies as partial compensation.  Any household can use a few extra thousand dollars; those of ex-NBA players are no exception.

The Wagon

February 12th, 2011 at 5:25 PM ^

that Jordan Dumars is a walkon is in fact because his father can afford it.  I am fairly certain that was the case with Michael Jordan's son(s?) as well.

Also, I recently read that Tim Hardaway Sr. is flat out broke so he in particular could not afford it.  I understand your point but how many people get academic scholarships (even if only a few thousand dollars) and don't turn around and donate any money back.  I think that's a huge expectation.

Zone Left

February 12th, 2011 at 5:44 PM ^

I think college is the first thing most kids do almost entirely on their own.  Most parents probably want their children to feel like they earned admission, scholarships, and their grades--even the extremely helicoptery-type parents.  Earning a full-ride is probably a big deal to most kids and having Dad pay may feel like it diminishes the accomplishment.

Also, don't scholarship athletes have access to a lot of university support that the university isn't allowed to provide to non-scholarship players?  That alone (supervision of attendance) is probably worth its weight in gold.

neoavatara

February 12th, 2011 at 5:47 PM ^

He was a scholarship player (UCF?  I can't remember), and left to be a walk on at Michigan. 

I don't think it is about money, it is about where they feel they fit best.

bleedzblue

February 12th, 2011 at 6:30 PM ^

But I read on yahoo about a week ago that Tim Hardaway had to have the Miami Heat buy his house to keep it from getting repossesed by the bank. He's definitely hurting for money, so it's a good thing his son did get a scholarship because he probably couldn't to afford to send his son to Michigan as a walk on.

Edit: My bad someone above already pointed this out. 

trueblueintexas

February 12th, 2011 at 7:40 PM ^

As noble and logical as it soundsfrom the fans perspective, those who have money have it because they are smart with it.  If you are smart with your money, your going to accept the schollie for your kid.  Why pay for something you don't have to?  Especially at a school as expensive as Michigan. Nothing against the parents, just the right thing to do.

jmblue

February 12th, 2011 at 11:40 PM ^

They don't do it because there's no need.  The scholarship limit (13) is more than plenty.  Having 14 scholarship-caliber guys on one team would create a serious logjam.